GFWC Pine Bluff District VIII held its fall meeting at First United Methodist Church Lighthouse Building in Fordyce on Tuesday, Oct. 1. The meeting was hosted by Fordyce Sesame Club, Audrey Allen, club president. The meeting was called to order at 4 p.m. by District President JeNelle Lipton. Twenty-six registered. Allen gave the welcome with special note of the attendance of Judy Foot, Arkansas GFWC state president.

Lipton introduced the guest speaker, Frances Flener, Arkansas state drug director, who spoke on drugs being used by our youth. She warned to be aware of what is in your own medicine cabinet. The “Take Back” program has made great strides in getting drugs disposed. Arkansas is a leader in this. This program offers safe and effective means of disposing of drugs.

Arkansas is fourth in the nation in the “Take Back” program. “Oct. 26 will be observed for Take back, statewide,” Flener announced. “If Arkansas can continue with this program, we may not lose any more to drugs,” she concluded.

Devotion was given by Rev. Jeremy Langley, pastor of Temple Baptist Church, followed by the welcome from John MacNichol, mayor of Fordyce.

The meeting started at 5 p.m. with June Hammans, district secretary, reviewing the minutes, which were approved. No treasurer’s report was given.

Club reports were given by Sesame Club; Jean Pollard gave the report from Amici Club; and Robyn Stayton reported for Stuttgart Junior Woman’s Club and for Stuttgart Woman’s Club.

Southland’s report was read. Warren Woman Club report rounded out the club reports.

Lipton announced that Ronald McDonald House is the district project. They need towels and pillows, and clubs were asked to continue collecting pulltabs for this project. Lipton also announced that dues are due by Nov. 1.

Nominating committee for the district was elected: Glenda Cross, Warren; Stayton, Stuttgart Woman’s Club; Dee Van Duyn, Amici Club; and Audrey Allen, Sesame. Chairman to be decided at the first meeting of the committee.

The state nominating committee member will be Clydene Davis. The district endorsed Diane Fowler for state slate.

Lipton announced that the district’s 2014 spring convention will be in Warren on March 27. The South Central Convention will be hosted in Arkansas on Oct. 17, 2014, to be held in Rogers.

The group adjourned to the dining room, which was beautifully decorated in a fall theme.

Following the dinner, Foot brought news of the state. The 2015 international meeting will be held in Memphis. Arkansas won two international photography awards by Sandra Gattling, Warren Woman’s Club entries. Domestic violence will again by AFWC’s focus. The Clubwoman will be printed twice a year. Foot handed out many forms and UNICEF boxes.

Page 2 of 2 - Attending from Amici Club of Stuttgart were Hammans, Pollard and Joy White.